EVERETT – Enjoy the game!
The statement written on the Goddard Stadium locker room blackboard by Snohomish boys soccer coach Dan Pingrey at halftime of Wednesday’s 4A District One championship game was an entirely different message than the one Pingrey delivered a year earlier.
His team led Shorewood by a goal at halftime of Wednesday’s eventual 2-0 victory that secured the Panthers a Class 4A state playoff berth. They were dominant, but they were tight. He liked the effort he saw, unlike the previous two district championship games – both which ended in losses to Edmonds-Woodway.
“This group has been a kick in the rear,” said Pingrey, whose team posted its ninth shutout in it last 10 matches. “They’ve played some absolutely phenomenal soccer at times, and they are that good. But, you can’t believe the press. You’ve got to go out and prove it. It doesn’t mean squat if you don’t win.”
The Panthers (14-1-2 overall) dominated from start to finish, but developed some tightness when three shots – including a penalty kick – hit the left post of the Thunderbirds’ goal. A stingy defense that allowed only six Shorewood shots and two goals from junior forward Taylor Cochran, however, were enough to overcome some nerves and four missing starters. Two Panthers missed the game with injuries, one was sick and another was academically ineligible. All are expected to be ready when the state playoffs begin early next week.
Cochran said he liked this year’s halftime speech better than last year’s, when Pingrey admits he “threw a few daggers.”
“Halftime was horrible (last year),” chuckled Cochran, who helped Snohomish finish second at state last season. “He just went off on us, telling us to pick it up and using some words I can’t say. We definitely remembered that and had something to prove.”
If the Panthers were to pick a year to please their coach in a district title game, this was the one. The past two seasons, both Snohomish and E-W had already earned state playoff berths. This year, Shorewood (10-4-3) must play Mariner on Friday for the final spot to state. It will be the second meeting for the two teams. The Thunderbirds beat Mariner in a mini-playoff last Friday to earn the Western Conference South Division’s top seed.
Though the Panthers’ feet were aimed postward in the first half, other body parts gave Snohomish its first goal in the 16th minute.
Brandon Crutchfield made the most of his chance to use his arms. The sophomore striker placed a throw in at point blank range for Cochran, who headed the ball just under the middle of the cross bar for a 1-0 lead. It was Crutchfield’s 13th assist, most of which have come from throws.
“It’s a huge asset having a throw like that,” said Cochran, who will enter next week’s state playoffs with 15 goals.
Snohomish goalkeeper Riley made only three saves in the game, but came up with a big one in the 53rd minute. Eric Sather tapped the ball toward just inside the left post, but Riley smothered it to keep the team’s 10th shutout intact.
Less than a minute after Riley’s save, Cochran all but assured Snohomish the district title. He took a pass from midfielder Justin Abel and lined a shot from 10 yards out toward the right side of the goal.
Shorewood keeper Reed Renfro got a hand on the ball, but it hit the right post and caromed into the back of the net for a 2-0 Snohomish advantage.
Renfro made seven stops for the Thunderbirds.
At Everett
Goals-Snohomish: Cochran 2. Goalkeepers-Shorewood: Renfro. Snohomish: Riley. Records-Shorewood 10-4-3. Snohomish 14-1-2.
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